PHYSICS FORM 1 NOTES
Kenya 8-4-4 Syllabus
Complete Notes with All Topics, Formulas, Experiments and Practice Questions
Compiled in Classic Scribe Notes Style
Unit 1: Introduction to Physics
Definition: Physics is the branch of science concerned with matter, energy, and their interactions.
Importance of Physics:
- Development of technology
- Solving real-world problems
- Foundation for other sciences.
Branches of Physics: Mechanics, Thermodynamics, Waves, Electricity & Magnetism, Nuclear
Physics.
Role of Physics: In communication, medicine, energy, transportation, etc.
Laboratory Rules: No eating or drinking, handle apparatus carefully, follow teacher instructions.
Common Laboratory Apparatus: Metre rule, spring balance, thermometer, beaker, stopwatch.
Practice Questions:
• Define Physics.
• State three branches of Physics.
• Give three safety rules in the laboratory.
• List three examples of Physics in daily life.
Unit 2: Measurement
Definition: Measurement is the process of finding the size, quantity, or amount of something
compared to a standard unit.
Physical Quantities: Measurable properties such as length, mass, time, temperature.
Basic SI Units: metre (m), kilogram (kg), second (s), kelvin (K), ampere (A).
Derived Quantities: area, volume, speed, acceleration, density.
Measuring Instruments:
- Ruler (accuracy 0.1 cm)
- Vernier calipers (accuracy 0.01 cm)
- Micrometer screw gauge (accuracy 0.001 cm).
Accuracy & Errors: Systematic errors, random errors, human error, zero error.
Precautions: Read at eye level, use correct instrument, record properly.
Practice Questions:
• Define measurement.
• State four basic SI units.
• Name two derived quantities.
• Explain how to minimize parallax error.
Unit 3: Forces
Definition: A force is a push or pull acting on a body that changes its state of motion or shape.
SI Unit: Newton (N).
Types of Forces: Gravitational, frictional, tensional, magnetic, electrostatic.
Effects of Force: Change speed, direction, shape, or state of rest.
Friction: Opposes motion. Advantages: walking, braking. Disadvantages: wear and tear.
Hooke’s Law: Extension is directly proportional to the applied force, F = kx.
Diagram: Hooke’s Law experiment with spring and weights (placeholder).
Practice Questions:
• Define force.
• State two effects of force.
• List three types of forces.
• State Hooke’s Law.
Unit 4: Centre of Gravity
Definition: The point at which the weight of a body appears to act.
Determination: Use of plumb line and cardboard.
Equilibrium:
- Stable
- Unstable
- Neutral.
Applications: Construction of buildings, cars, bridges.
Practice Questions:
• Define centre of gravity.
• Name three types of equilibrium.
• Describe an experiment to determine centre of gravity.
Unit 5: Density
Definition: Density is mass per unit volume (ρ = m / V).
Units: kg/m³ or g/cm³.
Relative Density: Ratio of density of substance to density of water.
Floating and Sinking: Based on relative density.
Experiments: Measuring density of irregular objects using displacement method.
Applications: Ships, submarines, hydrometers.
Practice Questions:
• Define density.
• State the formula for relative density.
• Explain why a ship floats.
• Describe how to find the density of an irregular object.
Unit 6: Pressure
Definition: Pressure is the force per unit area (P = F/A).
Units: Pascal (Pa).
Pressure in Liquids: Increases with depth.
Atmospheric Pressure: Measured using a barometer.
Applications: Hydraulic press, syringes, drinking straw.
Practice Questions:
• Define pressure.
• State the SI unit of pressure.
• Explain why pressure increases with depth.
• List three applications of pressure in daily life.
Unit 7: Work, Energy and Power
Work: Done when a force moves a body through a distance in its direction (W = F × d).
Energy: Capacity to do work. Types: kinetic, potential, heat, chemical, electrical.
Power: Rate of doing work (P = W / t).
Units: Work - Joule (J), Power - Watt (W).
Law of Conservation of Energy: Energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transformed.
Practice Questions:
• Define work.
• State the formula for power.
• List four forms of energy.
• State the law of conservation of energy.
Unit 8: Simple Machines
Definition: A machine is a device that makes work easier.
Examples: Levers, pulleys, inclined planes, gears.
Mechanical Advantage (M.A.): Load / Effort.
Velocity Ratio (V.R.): Distance moved by effort / distance moved by load.
Efficiency: (M.A. / V.R.) × 100%.
Applications: Cranes, jacks, pulleys, scissors.
Practice Questions:
• Define a machine.
• State the formula for mechanical advantage.
• List three examples of simple machines.
• Define efficiency.
Unit 9: Structure of Matter
States of Matter: Solid, liquid, gas.
Particle Theory: All matter is made up of tiny particles.
Evidence: Diffusion, Brownian motion.
Changes of State: Melting, freezing, boiling, condensation.
Latent Heat: Heat energy absorbed or released during change of state without temperature
change.
Practice Questions:
• List three states of matter.
• What is diffusion?
• Explain Brownian motion.
• Define latent heat.
Unit 10: Thermal Expansion
Definition: Increase in size of a body due to rise in temperature.
Expansion in Solids, Liquids, Gases: Different rates of expansion.
Applications: Thermostats, bimetallic strips, gaps in railway lines.
Experiments: Ball and ring experiment (placeholder).
Practice Questions:
• Define thermal expansion.
• Name two applications of expansion.
• Explain why gaps are left between railway lines.
Unit 11: Heat Transfer
Definition: Heat transfer is the movement of heat from one body to another.
Modes: Conduction, convection, radiation.
Good and Bad Conductors: Metals are good conductors, wood is a poor conductor.
Applications: Cooking, thermos flask, house insulation.
Experiments: Conduction along a metal bar, convection in liquids.
Practice Questions:
• List three modes of heat transfer.
• State one application of conduction.
• Why is a thermos flask a good insulator?
• Explain how convection currents are formed.
End of Physics Form 1 Notes
Kenya 8-4-4 Syllabus | Classic Notes Format
